“Once fully commissioned, the system will drastically reduce the castle’s reliance on oil and improve its heat efficiency. Working within a medieval castle is a privilege and our team are embracing the inherent challenges,” commented Tessa Guy, Managing Director of Baystar.

Water as the source

Baystar undertook a full feasibility study, proposing innovative sustainable solutions to meet the energy needs of the castle, as well as a detailed proposal for the government’s renewable heat incentive scheme.

The feasibility study indicated that due to the plentiful supply of water in the moat around the castle, combined with good thermal mass in the castle’s solid brick walls, the most efficient solution would be a water source heat pump.

Water source heat pumps are low maintenance taking advantage of the constant temperatures found in water, and then utilising this heat to provide heating and hot water.

About the castle

The Herstmonceux Castle estate is a popular tourist attraction comprising the magnificent medieval moated castle amidst 300 acres of formal themed gardens and woodland. Since 1993 the castle has been owned by the Bader International Study Centre (BISC), part of the Queen’s University, Canada.